This power bank can charge up your Apple Watch on the go (and your iPhone, too). Photo: Cult of Mac Deals
Why carry multiple chargers and/or battery backups when you can top up your iPhone, Apple Watch and AirPods with a single power bank? This sleek, lightweight, multidevice charger can handle all three, and it costs just $34.99. That’s 41% off the regular price of $59.
Mudra Band adds gesture control to all Apple Watches, not just newer models. Photo: Wearable Devices
An update to the Wearable Devices Mudra Band for Apple Watch brings enhanced same-hand, touchless gesture control and task management for users even in older models of the device, the company said Monday. The artificial intelligence-powered functionality complements the band’s existing solutions for iPhone, iPad and other Apple products, it added.
“One of our initial goals with the Mudra Band has been to provide our users with same-hand touchless watch operation, and we are pleased to cater to multiple requests by our customers,” said Asher Dahan, CEO of Wearable Devices. “This is a step forward in AI-based wearable technology, pushing the boundaries of what wearable technology can offer.”
iPhone 16 Pro could carry the "Made in India" tag and a lower price tag. Graphic: Rajesh
Apple will reportedly manufacture the iPhone 16 Pro within weeks of its global launch at its manufacturing facilities in India. This will give the company’s manufacturing efforts a major push in the country.
So far, the Cupertino giant has only manufactured non-Pro iPhones in India.
Now even PC users can experience Apple Podcasts a lot like someone who uses the app for macOS. Image: Apple
As an alternative to using the Apple Podcasts app, as of Monday anyone can browse, hear, sync and share Apple Podcasts in 170 countries on all major web browsers, including Safari, Chrome, Edge and Firefox.
So now Apple Podcasts joins the likes of Podbay and Podurama in offering its own online player for anyone on any platform.
The iPhone Ultra Wide iPhone camera should just go. Graphic: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
The dual-camera system in the two basic iPhone models is an unnecessary complication. The iPhone’s secondary Ultra Wide camera simply doesn’t get used enough to justify building it into a handset.
Apple should focus entirely on the primary camera — the only one most people ever use. The iPhone’s Ultra Wide camera just adds unnecessary bulk and expense.
Apple Watch Series 9 takes the prize at the iPhone giant's top-selling wearble. Image: Apple
A new study sheds light on which Apple Watch model consumers buy most — and least, and in between — Consumer Intelligence Research Partners (CIRP) said Wednesday. Enthusiasts who assume the most popular Apple Watch model must be the biggest and best (Ultra 2) or the most cost-effective (SE2) miss the mark. They might be surprised that middle-market Series 9 takes the crown, followed by Series 8, which Apple no longer even sells.
With iOS 18.1, developers will gain access to API enabling secure, in-app NFC payments. Photo: Square
The introduction of NFC and Secure Element (SE) APIs in iOS 18.1 unlocks new monetization opportunities for iOS app developers, Apple said Wednesday — though fees apply. But on the plus side, secure in-app near-field communication (NFC) transactions in iOS 18.1 will let devs integrate secure, contactless transactions directly within their apps on iPhone, independent of Apple Pay and Apple Wallet.
Sending money to creators via the Patreon iPhone app is likely about to cost more. Image: Patreon
Patreon, a service that many authors, artists, etc. use to get funding from fans, has to switch its iPhone/iPad application to Apple’s in-app purchase system by November. The company criticized the requirement on Monday, and pointed out this will add Apple’s 30% App Store fee to all new memberships purchased through the iOS software.
But Patreon isn’t being singled out — Apple makes virtually all applications use its purchasing system. Not that’s everyone is happy about it.
The new StandBy mode in iOS 17 really shines with a MagPower charging stand. Photo: SwitchEasy
This is your last chance to slash up to 65% off these multidevice charging stands from SwitchEasy. The sale ends at 11:59 p.m. Pacific on August 9.
If you own an iPhone, you need a MagSafe charging stand. They’re incredibly convenient, and they work great with StandBy, which instantly turns your iPhone into a smart display.
SwitchEasy offers two great wireless magnetic charging stands in the Cult of Mac Store — a powerful 4-in-1 and a compact 2-in-1 — and both feature a night light. And they’ve got something else in common. They’re both on sale at up to 65% off in our SwitchEasy Sale.
With Clooney and Pitt headlining, it seems Apple smells a mega-hit. Photo: Apple Original Films
Apple Original Films gave writer, director and producer Jon Watts the nod to write a sequel to action-comedy film Wolfs, with Academy Award winners George Clooney and Brad Pitt — even before the first installment comes out. Wolfs premieres at the 81st Venice International Film Festival ahead of its limited theatrical release on September 20. Then it debuts on Apple TV+ on Friday, September 27. Hey, when Apple plans a Wolfs sequel even before the original proves popular, you know it expects a hit.